March 6

Fourth Wednesday after Epiphany

I will deliver My flock. Ezekiel 34:10.

WE are not to suppose from our blessed Lord's miracle (which we have been considering the last few days) that He will arise and perform for us the like miraculous deliverance either in such a storm at sea, or in the midst of that raging of men's passions, which like a storm may toss either the ark of Christ's Church in which we are, or our own fortunes, or homes, or lives. But what faith and prayer will teach us from this miracle is this, that Christ is able to do so by His word at once with the greatest ease; and also that in answer to our prayers He will either do so, or else that some time or other He will give us reason to know that He answered our prayers in a higher and better manner than we could have thought of. In short, it will teach us the greatest secret which none but a good man knows, and which he comes to know more and more, viz. that in every danger and extremity, God is both able and willing to aid us beyond all that we can ask or think.

O Thou that sitt'st in heaven and see'st My deeds without, my thoughts within, Be Thou my Prince, be Thou my Priest, Command my soul, and cure my sin: How bitter my afflictions be I care not, so I rise to Thee.

What I possess, or what I crave, Brings no content, great God, to me, If what I would, or what I have, Be not possessed and blessed in Thee: What I enjoy, oh make it mine, In making me—that have it—Thine.